Opening Minds through Art

Intergenerational art program for people with dementia.

Weekly starting Feb 17 – May 9, 2014

OMAs Mission: Building bridges across age and cognitive barriers through art. Students will work one-on-one with an elder who have Alzheimers or other dementias to create beautiful work of art. Through this service learning process, students will assist in providing meaningful creative experiences for the elders, develop compassion and communication skills, while gaining insights into aging and dementia. Students will develop genuine and reciprocal friendships with people who are very different from themselves.

2. Sit with an elder who has dementia and assist the elder in completing the project.

3. Complete 6 reflective journals.

4. Attend art show.

No art skills needed, only patience and compassion. All art supplies will be provided and art projects will be designed by the program leaders. No preparation on the students' part. This is a weekly commitment because they are partnered with the same elder every week, as much as possible. They need to write six reflective journals throughout the term and attend the final art show. Training is provided.

VolunteerPerks:

Certificate of completion from Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University and a small piece of original OMA art.